The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has urged all users of measuring equipment to calibrate and verify their tools through UNBS to ensure accuracy, safeguard consumers, and uphold fair trade practices. The appeal comes as Uganda joins the global community in commemorating World Metrology Day on May 20, 2025.

Speaking with journalists on May 20 2025, Deus Mubangizi, UNBS Manager of National Metrology, emphasized that accurate measurements are the backbone of everyday life, supporting critical sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and commerce.

“Reliable measurements are essential for safety, trade, and sustainable development,’’ Mubangizi said.

“We are strengthening national measurement standards to ensure Uganda remains competitive in regional and global markets.”

He explained that calibration involves comparing a device’s measurements with recognized standards to identify and correct inaccuracies, while verification ensures that measuring instruments meet specified tolerances.

These processes are vital for maintaining trust in devices such as weighing scales, fuel pumps, and medical equipment.

“Inaccurate measurements can result in consumer losses, unfair competition, and even pose safety risks especially in sectors like healthcare and agriculture,” Mubangizi warned.

He cited an example of improperly calibrated fuel pumps, which he said have cost consumers significant amounts of money annually.

To combat such issues, he urged the public to buy from traders whose equipment bears the official UNBS calibration sticker a symbol of trust and accuracy.

“Buying from calibrated devices not only protects consumers from fraud but also promotes transparency and fair trade,” Mubangizi said.

He also highlighted the government’s support in advancing metrology, particularly through the construction of a state-of-the-art National Metrology Laboratory at the UNBS headquarters, which is now nearing completion.

“This facility will enhance Uganda’s ability to deliver world-class measurement services, with traceability to international standards through the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM),” he said. “It will position Uganda as a regional leader in measurement accuracy.”

He further explained that metrology is the science of accurate measurement which is at the heart of everyday life.

“Whether measuring time, weight, length, temperature, or volume, measurements must be precise to serve their purpose,” he said.

This year’s World Metrology Day theme, “Measurements for all times, for all people,” commemorates 150 years since the signing of the Meter Convention, a foundational treaty that established global measurement standards.

“This day not only recognizes the importance of accurate, traceable measurements but also honors the global metrology community’s efforts in fostering fair trade, innovation, and cooperation across borders,” Mubangizi said.

As Uganda commemorates World Metrology Day 2025, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards’ call underscores that accurate measurement is more than a technical necessity it is a cornerstone of fairness, safety, and progress.

By investing in metrology and advancing its measurement systems, Uganda is laying the groundwork for a more transparent, competitive, and equitable economy one where every measurement counts, for every person, at all times.